INSIDE THE BIG TEN.

Michigan ready for NU spread

November 10, 2004|BY REID HANLEY.

If any team knows how to defend against the spread offense, it would be Michigan. The No. 9 Wolverines have plenty of experience.

Michigan (8-1, 6-0) plays host to Northwestern and its version of the spread on Saturday. Michigan has seen the pass-oriented offense from Miami (Ohio), San Diego State, Purdue and Michigan State and has won each encounter.

Last week, the Wolverines were off and no doubt gave the Wildcats spread a lot of practice attention. Northwestern (5-4, 4-2) has its own quirks in running the offense, which features multi-receiver looks.

"From my observation, Northwestern does not use the quarterback as extensively [as Michigan State]," Michigan coach Lloyd Carr said. "There are a lot of similarities. Both of them keep the quarterback (Brett Basanez for Northwestern) moving so it's always difficult to know where he's going to throw the football. Northwestern has an outstanding tailback in Noah Herron. They have a big physical offensive line and I think the difference is they rely on their tailback for their running game more than anybody else."

Herron (1,038 yards, 11 touchdowns) is the second leading rusher in the Big Ten behind Michigan freshman Michael Hart (1,160 yards). Basanez is the second leading passer in the conference, averaging 236 yards per game.

No. 4 Wisconsin

at Michigan State

The Badgers (9-0, 6-0) end the season on a two-game trip with at least a share of the Big Ten championship in their sites. Michigan State (4-5, 3-3) is coming off back-to-back losses to Michigan and Ohio State, but Wisconsin coach Barry Alvarez isn't expecting the Spartans to be hospitable.

"You can go back to them losing at Rutgers, right out of the chute, yet coming back and playing well," Alvarez said. "And, you know, they have rebounded a number of times."

Wisconsin's offense matched its defense in a 38-14 victory over Minnesota last week. Sophomore quarterback John Stocco was named the conference offensive player of the week after passing for three touchdowns as he completed 19 of 26 passes for 297 yards. Wisconsin scored on its first five possessions.

"It just expands everything you have to prepare for now," Michigan State coach John L. Smith said. "I think they are starting to open things up because, apparently, they're starting to become more comfortable with their QB. . . . and boy, he was lighting it up."

No. 19 Iowa at Minnesota

The Hawkeyes (7-2, 5-1) have had a school-record 19 different receivers this season, including quarterback Drew Tate, who caught a pass from tailback Damien Sims against Purdue.

The Iowa receivers were blistered by coach Kirk Ferentz after a lackluster spring. With the addition of Clinton Solomon (39 catches), the return to health by Ed Hinkel (43 catches) and the emergence of Homewood-Flossmoor's Warren Holloway (21 catches) and Scott Chandler (16 catches), receiver is not a problem.

"Overall, the whole group was just young," Ferentz said. "The thing I was concerned about at the end of spring ball was we hadn't improved much from day one to day 15. As much as anything, I think our guys have just grown up a little bit."

Iowa tackle Jonathan Babineaux was named the conference defensive player of the week. The Port Arthur, Texas senior had three sacks, forced a fumble, recovered a fumble and had five solo tackles against Purdue.

Minnesota's only losses have come on the road, outdoors. The Gophers (6-4, 3-4) are happy to be home but discount the outside factor.

"I don't think it matters if we're playing inside or outside," Gophers coach Glen Mason said. "I know it looks like we play a heck of a lot better at home, but we practice outside all the time."

Penn State at Indiana

If history means anything, Indiana (1-5, 3-6) is just what Penn State (0-6, 2-7) needs. The Nittany Lions never have lost to Indiana and have won the last two meetings 58-27 and 52-7.

The Hoosiers lost to Illinois 26-22 after leading 19-0. Quarterback Matt LoVecchio left the game with a concussion but is expected to play against Penn State.

The Nittany Lions are used to playing in front of 103,436 fans at home in Beaver Stadium. Indiana has averaged 29,449 in four home games this season and drew less than 23,000 against Minnesota two weeks ago.

Ohio State at Purdue

These two teams could ease their disappointment with a pair of victories to end the season. Purdue (5-4, 2-4), which has lost four straight by a total 10 points, needs a victory to be bowl eligible. Ohio State (6-3, 3-3) has the required six victories and would improve its position by winning.

Purdue once was ranked fifth in the country. The Boilermakers are trying to keep their heads up and finish the season on a high note and not think of what might have been.

"I almost think we've moved beyond that," Purdue coach Joe Tiller said of "what-ifs." "We are in a mode of what we have to do to improve ourselves and not getting involved in the what-ifs. We could have won a couple of those games and maybe should have. But the reality is we didn't."

Ohio State got its first conference road victory last week at Michigan State. The Buckeyes lost at Northwestern and at Iowa during a three-game losing streak.

Injured Boilermakers quarterback Kyle Orton is 50-50 for the game.

Buckeye freshman Ted Ginn Jr. was the conference special teams player of the week after he returned a punt 60 yards for a touchdown. He also scored a rushing and receiving touchdown.

"He has made a huge impact on special teams as a punt returner and even as a backup kickoff returner," Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said.

Illinois

The Illini (3-7, 1-6) are off this week before ending their season Nov. 20 at Northwestern.